Liang Xue listened quietly to the teachings and greatly agreed with her father's words. As a Liang Family Girl, no matter whom she marries, she is an esteemed existence.

"Daughter will heed father's instructions." Liang Xue nodded, then smiled and said, "Father, how much dowry have you prepared for me?"

The dowry symbolizes the female family's status and wealth. When a daughter gets married, the dowry is sent along, and the longer the procession to deliver the dowry, the greater the family's wealth, giving the bride a position of importance.

Conversely, if the dowry is meager, the woman might be looked down upon by her husband's family after marriage.

Therefore, unless it is a family selling their daughter, even the most impoverished families strive to assemble a dowry for their daughter.

Liang Xue is even more concerned since she is marrying the Crown Prince Chong. If the dowry is insufficient, she would have no weight in her words in the future, so she naturally cares greatly about the dowry.

Upon hearing, Liang Song stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Xue'Er, relax, you are my only daughter. Your dowry certainly won't be lacking. Just what I have prepared for you in Yu State is enough to fill this entire hall.

Moreover, I've also arranged to purchase a thousand acres of good farmland and a thousand bolts of brocade in Chongzhou, certainly ensuring the Young Master won't belittle you."

This is also his reputation; the dowry surely will not be small.

"I knew father treats me the best." Liang Xue said happily.

...

February 22nd.

Chen Mo led the army into Xia Lin's territory, less than thirty li from Xia Lin City.

By this time, the Jiang River had already thawed, the ice and snow had melted away except for some bundles of grass and a dash of white on the hilltops. Yet, the surroundings were desolate without a trace of human presence.

Chen Mo ordered the army to halt first, and instructed Sun Meng to call Zhang River, Su Wen, and Li Yunzhang for a meeting to discuss detailed plans.

The following morning, Yang Minggui sent Cui Shuang to inform them, allowing Chen Mo to lead five hundred Armored Warriors into the city, with well-prepared reasoning of merely attending a ceremony, to avoid causing panic.

Chen Mo instructed Sun Meng to bring five hundred Personal Soldiers to accompany him into the city.

The hills outside the city were barren, with all trees on the mountains felled, and outside the city, numerous white bones could still be seen. The moat water emitted a foul stench.

That afternoon, Chen Mo entered Xia Lin City.

The Personal Guard Team of five hundred Armored Warriors were fully clad in Bright Armor, with Horizontal Saber and Short Saber at the waist, Hand Blade in hand, Round Shield carried, Longbow and Quiver on their backs. Some Armored Warriors were additionally equipped with the Armor-Piercing Iron Awl and Copper Hammer.

Two hundred Armored Warriors were behind, while one hundred were in front. Sun Meng led two hundred Armored Warriors to closely protect Chen Mo from all sides.

Xia Lin City had many people but was not bustling, instead exhibiting a certain degree of decay.

The clashing sounds of Armor Leaves and the neat footsteps had already alarmed everyone.

The orderly and synchronized heavy footsteps resembled the sound of drums, striking time and again in the hearts of the Celestial Master Army soldiers.

Yang Minggui, Xu Mu, and other leaders under them, through Cui Shuang's prior introduction upon entry into the city, met this troop for the first time—a troop that had won in Yu State and safely withdrawn.

As well as their leader, Chen Mo.

"Greetings to Marshal Yang." Following Cui Shuang's gesture, Chen Mo finally met the Yang Minggui whom he had been "thinking about."

The first thing Chen Mo did was glance at his forehead.

"868..."

Just when the numbers were accounted for in his mind, his gaze suddenly shifted to a gentlemanly-looking middle-aged man beside Yang Minggui.

On the gentlemanly man's forehead, there was a red number "889."

Chen Mo's eyes fixed on it.

"This is our Military Advisor Xu Mu. Military Advisor Xu is a great talent, not only an Advanced Scholar but also a student of the current Grand Tutor," Cui Shuang said, noticing Chen Mo's gaze directed at Xu Mu.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. He knew there was a Military Advisor Xu Mu beside Yang Minggui, but he had heard that he wasn't a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist, yet you're telling me this "889" number is Sixth-Grade?

Despite his internal shock, Chen Mo still respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Greetings to Military Advisor Xu."

Xu Mu smiled, waiting until Yang Minggui finished speaking before saying, "I have long heard of Marshal Chen's fame. Now that I've seen you, you are indeed extraordinary—an outstanding young hero. Even the soldiers under you are so mighty and valiant."

Yang Minggui fixed his gaze on Chen Mo's Personal Soldiers for a long while, his face flushing slightly. Regardless of Chen Mo's occasional lifting up, this troop would have to obey his orders in the future.

"The soldiers have traveled a great distance, and I have prepared some light wine at the Celestial King Hall for you all to freshen up. Please come inside." Yang Minggui, in high spirits, immediately rewarded them with wine.

The soldiers remained motionless.

"Thank you, Marshal Yang." Chen Mo again cupped his hands.

"Thank you, Marshal Yang." The soldiers cheerfully shouted in unison.

Yang Minggui frowned slightly, but his face didn't show any dissatisfaction, remaining all smiles.

Xu Mu remained unperturbed, accompanying Cui Shuang, sticking by Yang Minggui's side.

The group slowly headed towards the Celestial King Hall.

The current Celestial King Hall, without a doubt, is the highest building in Xia Lin City.

The whole Celestial King Hall covers one-fifth of Xia Lin City—majestic palace, red walls, black tiles, overhanging eaves, verdant trees shading the roads paved with bluestone.

The Celestial King Hall is beautiful and magnificent. Upon reaching its front, even Chen Mo couldn't help but exclaim, though he had never seen the Imperial Palace of this world, this Celestial King Hall resembles Yihe Garden.

However, he also knows that the Celestial King Hall being constructed in such a short time was at the cost of countless lives, those red walls seemingly forged from surging blood.

Entering the Celestial King Hall's interior, there were artificial rockeries made of countless strange stones piled up, an artificial Wansong Ridge, and a Shoushan, forming a staggered landscape, opening and closing mutually at the angles.

At the junction of the three mountains, there is a place where wild geese gather to collect waters from various ridges. The water flows slowly, sometimes cascades, with medicinal herbs planted around.

Each of the three mountains has its scenery, whether lush and open forests, undulating peaks, or an array of strange stones.

There are dozens of large caves in the three mountains, with limestone placed inside, naturally generating clouds and mist.

Chen Mo felt somewhat better, while the five hundred personal soldiers beneath him were utterly astonished, resembling Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. However, due to their rigorous training, their formation remained flawless.

"Marshal Chen, how does my Celestial King Hall look?" Yang Minggui asked, quite satisfied with Chen Mo and his group's reaction, feeling rather smug.

"It resembles an Immortal Realm."

Chen Mo spoke truthfully.

No wonder some people, once they achieve success and wealth, enjoy initiating grand construction projects.

Such a grand and magnificent palace, even he couldn't help but be moved.

The key point is, it is a symbol of status.

"What a resemblance to an Immortal Realm. Tomorrow is the completion ceremony, so please let Marshal Chen rest here for the night."

Yang Minggui patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, then clapped his hands, "Someone, prepare some wine and meat to reward the soldiers."

"Yes." Cui Shuang saluted then withdrew.

...

The wine and meat sent by Yang Minggui were not consumed by Chen Mo and the personal guard team; they continued eating their travel rations. Despite Yang Minggui's display of harmony and lack of any tension since entering the city, they didn't dare to relax even a bit.

He was curious to find out what was in Yang Minggui's 'gourd' after all.

That night, Chen Mo did not let his troops camp inside the Celestial King Hall and instead set up camp outside, assigning guards.

It seemed Yang Minggui truly invited Chen Mo merely to witness the ceremony, as there were no troops watching over them, and they were allowed to move freely.

Chen Mo, unreservedly, wandered inside the Celestial King Hall with Sun Meng.

In the hall's square, laborers worked overtime building a high platform in preparation for tomorrow's completion ceremony.

Ascending the steps, when they reached a place in front of the hall, Sun Meng looked down from above and suddenly raised an eyebrow, saying, "What a great spot."

"What's the matter?" Chen Mo turned his head to look at him.

"Marshal Chen, look, the position of this Celestial King Hall is well-arranged, moving quietly lets people feel as if they are wandering among famous mountains, grand chasms, secluded valleys, and giant rocks."

Saying this, Sun Meng also pointed to the herbs planted around, "From a Feng Shui perspective, this signifies a wish for immortality."

Chen Mo showed surprise, "You know Feng Shui?"

"Just a bit. When I was a child, I learned some tricks from the elders in the village and even helped people find burial grounds. But what I learned was not profound, it's considered deceitful." Sun Meng touched the back of his head, saying.

Chen Mo did not ponder deeply on this.

Choosing a place with good Feng Shui before launching grand constructions is not surprising.

Even when he opened his bar, he consulted Feng Shui masters for the location and did the same during renovations, hoping for prosperity and peace as a psychological comfort.

As for whether it works or not?

Believers hold it true, skeptics hold it false.

A peaceful night passed.

Nothing happened.

In the morning, the Celestial King Hall became lively.

Gongs and drums were struck.

Xu Mu was dressed in a Daoist robe, holding a Peach Wood Sword, carrying a compass, and circled around the high platform.

On the high platform, Yang Minggui set up an altar, slaughtering pigs and sheep to offer sacrifices to heaven.

Finally, with Yang Minggui's incense burning and three bows to the sky, the ceremony concluded.

Thus announced, the Celestial King Hall was completed.

Chen Mo was stunned.

Because the entire process was remarkably smooth, without any unforeseen events.

This scene left Chen Mo slightly taken aback, as he had come expecting Yang Minggui to make a move against him, to settle new and old scores together.

But now Yang Minggui was so courteous that Chen Mo was at a loss for how to proceed.

Hmm, Chen Mo is a hypocritical person and didn't want to be the 'villain' first.

It was at this moment that Cui Shuang approached, saying, "Marshal Chen, the Marshal invites you to the main hall for the evening banquet tonight."

Chen Mo assured them he would be punctual.

...

Evening.

As the lanterns were first lit.

When Chen Mo led Sun Meng and more than ten others into the Celestial King Hall, they were stopped by the guards outside, prohibiting them from carrying weapons inside.

Chen Mo exchanged a glance with Sun Meng, who understood and withdrew. Ultimately, Chen Mo entered with Su Wen and Li Yunzhang.

Inside the main hall, laughter resounded, and the sounds of instruments were unceasing.

The guards outside the hall saw that the three of them were weaponless and let them in.

In the center of the hall, beauties performed music and dance, while Yang Minggui's various-sized subordinates sat on either side.

"Marshal Chen has arrived, please come up," Cui Shuang said smiling.

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